Apparatus for electrically bonding a solar array

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9865938-B2
Application number	US-201514796140-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 10, 2015
Priority date	Jul 5, 2012
Publication date	Jan 9, 2018
Grant date	Jan 9, 2018

Abstract

In various representative aspects, an apparatus for securing solar panels to a rail support guide, while facilitating grounding by a common grounding wire. The apparatus is an electrically conductive lay-in-lug fastener, which facilitates multiple rows of solar panels to be electrically bonded to each other. The apparatus includes a lug member for securing the grounding wire. In doing so, the structure for securing the grounding wire is at an acute angle to the frame, enabling a wrench to be used even in space-challenged locations.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for facilitating the completion of an electrical circuit in a solar panel array having an electrically conductive rail support guide and using a common grounding wire, the apparatus comprising:
a fastener having a frame, the frame having a proximal end and a distal end;
a clamp assembly located at the distal end, the clamp assembly further comprising:
a first member having an enlarged end, the enlarged end comprising at least one raise portion configured to penetrate a surface treatment layer of the rail support guide to contact the electrically conductive portion of the rail support guide for creating a grounding path for the solar panel array, wherein the enlarged end is insertable in a first orientation along a length of the rail support guide and rotatable to a second orientation when the enlarged end engages the rail support guide;

a shank extending from the enlarged end, the shank further comprising a nut end on the opposite end of the enlarged end for securing the fastener to the rail support guide; and
the frame further comprising an opening at the distal end for allowing passage of the shank; and
the frame further comprising a lug member on the proximal end for securing the common grounding wire.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lug member further comprises an opening that is at an acute angle with respect to the rail support guide wherein the lug member further comprises a securing member for passing through the opening for contacting the grounding wire and securing it to the assembly.

3. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the securing member has a nut end and a shank, the acute angled opening allows the shank to pass through.

4. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the shank and the opening are compatibly threaded and wherein the nut end can be rotated to connect the grounding wire to the frame.

5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the clamp assembly includes a washer between the nut end and the enlarged end.

6. The assembly of claim 5 , wherein the fastener and each of its elements are electrically conductive.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the washer further comprises at least one raised portion for penetrating the assembly.

8. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the common grounding wire is secured to a plurality of lug members that are secured to a corresponding rail support guide that provides an electrical conducting path between the rail support guides.

Assignees

• Ironridge Inc

Inventors

• Meine Shawn
• Ash Jon
• Ochenreider Scott

Classifications

• H01R25/142

  Their counterparts · CPC title

• H01R4/64

  Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail · CPC title

• H01R4/34 Primary

  Conductive members located under head of screw · CPC title

• H01R4/302

  having means for preventing loosening of screw or nut, e.g. vibration-proof connection · CPC title

• H01R4/2408

  actuated by clamping screws · CPC title